Brady boys get victory over Loomis Wolves in a dog fight

The Brady Eagles used all 32 minutes of regulation to fend off a winless Loomis Wolves team in their 59-55 win Saturday night.

From the opening tip both teams scored and then used a press to slow down each other.

After small droughts of scoring both teams scored seven points in the last three minutes of the first quarter with the Wolves leading 13-11.

Head coach Dave Jacobs said the Loomis press never gave the Eagles many problems but the Wolves were a group of scrappy players.

Following a two-minute lapse in scoring to begin the second quarter, Nate Sitorius tied the game on a lay-in that ignited both squads while Loomis continued to hold the advantage.

However, with 2:17 remaining in the first half the Wolves scored their last basket before the break and Brady took momentum with a 7-0 run to capture a 30-22 halftime lead.

Entering the second half Loomis powered back into the game limiting the Eagles to three shot attempts and zero baskets for four minutes of the third quarter.

Meanwhile the Wolves rallied and regained the lead with a three-point basket by Zach Clark, 34-32.

Brady took a timeout to discuss offensive strategy.

“We wanted to get more movement on offensive and didn’t want to rush our shots,” Jacobs said. “We were starting to stand around at times and it got better after that timeout.”

Sitorius broke the scoring spell with 3:15 remaining in the third and the dog fight had begun.

Scoring went back and forth. Dayne Porter hit a three to pull the Eagles within one, 39-38, but Loomis guard Josh Taylor answered with a trey of his own to expand the Wolves’ lead to four. Troy Lusk responded with a three of his own before the third quarter ended with the Wolves on top 44-41.

Although his team was trailing, Jacobs said they talked about finishing strong in the fourth quarter.

“We take pride in our conditioning and being tough in the fourth quarter,” Jacobs said. “We wanted to take care of the ball.”

The Eagles certainly did, only committing one turnover in the final period.

Wolves big man Collin Rodenbaugh scored Loomis’ first six points while Trevor Mann and Sitorius kept up the pace.

After Chase Viter pulled Brady within one, 48-47, an Austin Widick jump shot gave the Eagles a 49-48 lead.

A Porter three extending the lead to four but back-to-back threes by Kelly Thorell put the Wolves ahead with three minutes remaining, 55-52.

However, Brady stiffened up its defense and for the final two minutes the Eagles didn’t give up a point. Meanwhile Trevor Mann, Sitorius and Lusk all made baskets to take a 59-55 lead that closed out the game.

Sitorius scored a team high 19 points while the Wolves leading scorer was Josh Taylor with 14 points.

Jacobs said a win like that is a huge confidence builder going into Christmas break.

“We need to win at home against a team I thought we could beat,” Jacobs said. “We took a big step in the right direction last night and we were all happy with that win.”

Weather Forecast

e-Subscription Login

E-Subscriptions are now offered with each week's complete issue available in PDF format on Wednesday afternoons. To purchase an E-Subscription please fill out our Contact Form and select 'Request an e-Subscription.'